Golden girl Eve captures Sports Personality Award

Mar 30 2012 by Alison Lowson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

CURLING’S golden girl Eve Muirhead was hailed the PA Sports Personality of the Year at last night’s high profile Perth and Kinross Sports Awards dinner in the Fair City.

The 21-year-old from Blair Atholl skipped her young team to the European title late last year and has emerged as a poster girl for a new generation of curlers worldwide.

Muirhead, who now has the Winter Olympics in Russia in her sights, finished out of the medal positions at the world championships in Canada earlier this month.

But her achievements on the Euro front merited the prestigious award, edging her ahead of promising athlete and Commonwealth Games contender Laura Muir, from Milnathort, and fellow athlete Louise Brett, a Strathtay Harrier who was also short-listed for her successes in Disability Sports.

The award was presented at the Salutation Hotel by Alison Lowson, editor of the Perthshire Advertiser, which has been a long-time supporter of the event hosted by the Perth and Kinross Sports Council and Perth and Kinross Sports Development team.

Alison said: “These annual awards nights are always very special and this one was no different. Eve proved she was the best in Europe and I have no doubt further top level success awaits her. She is a superb ambassador for her sport.

“I am always astounded just how much sporting talent there is across Perth and Kinross. At the PA we are always keen to recognise and promote grassroots talent and achievement in our sports pages.”

The junior accolades sponsored by Alison Wilson were picked-up by promising swimmers Stephen Milne and Camilla Hattersley.

National champions, the Perth and District U17 Netball Team, captured the PSPC team of the year trophy.

The full list of award winners was:

Sports Personality of the Year Sponsored by the Perthshire Advertiser: Eve Muirhead, curling

Junior Female Sports Personality of the Year Sponsored by Alison Wilson: Camilla Hattersley, swimming

Junior Male Sports Personality of the Year Sponsored by Alison Wilson: Stephen Milne, swimming

Coach of the Year Sponsored by Sport Tayside and Fife: Fiona Cameron

School Team of the Year Sponsored by Binn Skips: Strathallan Ski Team

Club of the Year Sponsored by Iain Cain Fire and Securities: Auchterarder Gymnastics Club

George Mortimer for Service to Sport Sponsored by Perth and Kinross Sports Council: Denise Jackson, gymnastics

Disability Endeavour Sponsored by Perth and Kinross Disability Sport: Susie Taylor, athletics

Volunteer of the Year Sponsored by Perth Trophy Shop: Kerry Ferguson, gymnastics

Innovations of the Year sponsored by Smith and Sons Coaches: Breadalbane Canoe Club

Disability Sports Person of the Year sponsored by Live Active Leisure: Reagan Doig, swimming

Team of the Year sponsored by Perthshire Solicitors Property Centre: Perth and District U17 Netball Team

*See Tuesday’s PA for full photographic coverage of the big night at the Salutation Hotel.